avatarAnna da Silva

Summary

"The Colour of Calm" is a reflective poem contrasting the tranquility and safety associated with the color green in the English countryside with its more sinister connotations in unfamiliar, dangerous environments.

Abstract

The poem "The Colour of Calm" by an unnamed author explores the dual nature of the color green through vivid imagery and personal experiences. It begins by painting a serene picture of green in the English landscape, symbolizing peace, home, and a connection to nature. The author reminisces about childhood memories of walks with their mother, the beauty of the changing seasons, and the solace found in the greenery of their homeland. However, the poem takes a turn, acknowledging that across oceans and deserts, green can signify danger and fear, where nature's camouflage hides threats. The author expresses gratitude for the prompt that inspired the poem and connects their personal journey with green spaces, highlighting the importance of nature for mental and physical well-being. The piece concludes with a nod to the author's marriage, which ties them even more closely to the natural world, and invites readers to explore related works.

Opinions

  • The author has a deep affection for the color green, associating it with safety, solace, and home, particularly in the context of the English countryside.
  • There is a strong belief in the healing power of nature, with the author emphasizing scientific evidence supporting the importance of time in nature for health.
  • The poem suggests a stark contrast in the interpretation of green between familiar, benign environments and foreign, hostile landscapes.
  • The author values the role of green spaces in urban environments for the benefit of people and the planet.
  • The piece implies a personal transformation from experiencing war zones to advocating for the preservation and enhancement of green spaces.
  • The author sees a meaningful coincidence in their marriage to someone whose name signifies a connection to nature, reinforcing their personal and professional commitment to the environment.

The Colour of Calm

A prompt response poem

Spring bright fingers (Photo by Anna da Silva)

It is the bewitching dance of the walnut leaves Scattering sun beams in the breeze Framed by the hood of my pram.

It is foraging walks with a farm girl mother Down sunken country lanes edged and smothered By ancient hedgerows bursting with berries and birdsong.

It is the grass between my toes beneath my favourite pear, Swiping wasps off fallen fruit that I refuse to share With uninvited stinging raiders.

It is the awakening of a private copse of venerable oaks, As spring bright fingers unfurl and spread to cloak Me in precious quiet amidst the relentless noise of school.

It is the winding ivy, honeysuckle, dog rose, Entwining forgotten names on mossy canting grave stones In the University churchyard where I hide away to read.

It is safety, solace, home, peace. Dropping shoulders, breathing deep. The sweep of a hillside, The shelter of a hedge, The bounty of a harvest, The full stop of a solitary tree. It is the brush that sketches the shapes and shades of this land At the hand of millennia of man.

It is green

And yet…

Over the ocean, beyond the desert, where gaping rivers meet a different sea It is foetid, sweat drenched and filled with fear, Leaves harbour peril with venom and fangs, Verdant verges disguise evil planted by man, Instinct is upended, haven is turned danger, Comforting green is become a stranger.

With thanks to Dennett for the prompt that inspired this poem, and the invitation to join Weeds & Wildflowers.

There could hardly be a better prompt or better named publication for me! Unlike Dennett I have always loved, and needed, green. For me, hailing from the Green and Pleasant Land of England, nature means green. And there is a wealth of scientific evidence that shows that time in nature is critical for our mental and physical health. After years spent in war zones and the intangible world of the media, I have now returned home and been fortunate enough to forge a new career, protecting and enhancing urban green spaces for the benefit of people, place and planet. And along the way I happened to marry someone whose surname — da Silva Muxito — translates as “from the woods — bush”. There’s a message in there!

If you enjoyed this poem, you may also enjoy this piece of prose, on a similar theme:

Poetry
Writing Prompts
Environment
Sustainability
Family
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